Note: Our latest blog feature, Talking Shop, is intended to help you get to know our employees: their experiences, their perspectives, and possibly – one or two things you have in common with them.We hope you enjoy our first entry featuring Wade Pruitt, regional sales manager in Oklahoma City. Next month, we’ll feature receptionist Tara Romney. Be sure to tell us which Canary employees you’d like to see featured after that.

Q: What’s the strangest or most random job you’ve ever had?

A: The most random job that I’ve ever had in oil & gas would have to be painting frac tanks and tank batteries. That’s kind of an odd job to start out doing in the business.

Q: What is your favorite on-the-job technology or gadget?

A: Probably my iPad. I travel a lot now, and carrying a laptop around became a pain. I like that the iPad is light, and I can still do anything I need to do on the road.

Q: What was your favorite or least favorite work site?

A: My least favorite work site would be a location I worked on in the Cheyenne Valley in Oklahoma. There rattle snakes by the hundreds, and due to the heat and vibration of the drilling rig they flocked to it. I found a snake in my boot, and I’m terrified of snakes.

Q: How do you take your coffee?

A: Fully caffeinated with cream and sugar.

Q: What’s the biggest on-the-job challenge you’ve had to face?

A: Being away from my wife and two boys is very difficult. Calling home and having a 3-year-old ask when I am coming home is difficult.

Q: What’s the most unusual solution to an on-the-job problem you’ve come up with that actually worked?

A: When presented with a problem doing nothing is, in some cases, the best action. Let the problem develop its own solution.

Q: What on-the-job accomplishment are you most proud of?

A: Becoming a sales manager by the age of 32.

Q: What would your coworkers be most surprised to learn about you?

A: Growing up as a fifth generation oil & gas kid, I had a passion for not wanting to be in this industry. Now I have passion for this business that is in my blood.

Q: What hidden talent do you possess that you’d like to have more time to develop?

A: I have the ability to size someone up and read them in a matter of seconds. I would like to be able to build on this talent to further help my sales efforts.

It takes a brave man to admit his fear (of snakes)… and an even braver one to keep those boots!
I hope this “Talking Shop” segment continues — it’s a really great new feature of this blog! I enjoy hearing about different people’s jobs.